New contracts up to 24 months and payments to military personnel up to 460 thousand hryvnias – all about the first stage of military service reform

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko announced that, following the instructions of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the government has begun a comprehensive transformation of the military service system. This concerns new contracts, defined service terms, salary increases, and recruitment reform.

As reported by Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, the government adopted a package of resolutions launching the first stage of this transformation. The process involves the Verkhovna Rada, the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, and the Ministry of Finance.

What the first stage of the reform entails

New contract system

Several types of contracts with clearly defined service terms are introduced:

• infantry-assault contract — 14 months for civilians, 10 months for active military personnel, and from 6 months for those previously discharged from service;
• combat contract — 24 months for UAV operators, artillerymen, electronic warfare specialists, and other combat specialties;
• basic contract — 24 months for other service directions with the possibility of rear positions.

Each contract guarantees a deferment of at least 6 months after the end of service. Its duration depends on the length of service and participation in combat missions. Previous military experience is also taken into account.

According to the government, a serviceman should receive clear information about the conditions of service, its duration, payment, and further opportunities after the contract ends.

Increase in monetary allowance

A significant increase in payments is introduced for infantry — on average about 300 thousand hryvnias per month, with a maximum level up to 460 thousand hryvnias.

The minimum monetary allowance for rear military personnel is raised to 30 thousand hryvnias. For the first time, payments for commanders of combat units are also increased.

According to the government, commanders of combat units, their deputies, and chiefs of staff will receive increased payments, and a corps commander — about 230 thousand hryvnias per month including combat bonuses.

Digital and organizational changes

A Mission Control system is introduced for the front line, which should ensure accounting of military workload, presence at positions, and fairness of combat payments.

Automatic transfers within one corps through the "Army+" app are also introduced to reduce bureaucracy and loss of military personnel due to the inability to change units.

Separately, a rapid return of military personnel who have left their unit without permission (AWOL) to the most effective combat units is provided through online and offline mechanisms.

Recruitment and additional changes

The government opens recruitment of foreigners to strengthen combat units. The declared goal is to fill 30–50% of assault and infantry positions with foreign volunteers.

Gradual discharge from service is also planned for military personnel who have served the longest in the Defense Forces and have significant combat experience.

Further stages of the reform

The government states that this is only the first stage of transformation. A comprehensive reform of recruitment and mobilization processes is planned next.

Earlier, "Judicial-Legal Newspaper" wrote that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced an increase in payments to servicemen – a minimum of 30 thousand UAH in the rear and 300 thousand UAH at the front.

The Ministry of Defense also stated that the average level of monetary allowance for infantrymen under the new model will be about 300 thousand hryvnias per month, with maximum payments up to 460 thousand hryvnias.

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